The true and false of menstruation

Is menstrual blood dirty? Can I have sex if I’m on my period? I can swim? And so on. In 2022 i false myths and taboos related to menstruation are still many. Even when you think you have overcome them all and have an open mind that does not give weight to urban legends, you will find instead with amazement that you still believe some rumor about it. For example, from the results of a recent survey conducted by Intimina (women’s wellness brand that produces a complete line of compact medical silicone menstrual cups) it emerged that almost 79% of the women interviewed take a day off from training before menstruation, specifying that one of the reasons for not exercising is cramps (25%), intense flow and fear of leaks (28%).

Therefore, another false myth fueled by ignorance as it has been scientifically proven that sports performance can instead improve during the days of the cycle. But that of do not exercise is one of the many phrases on bans linked to menstruation (for 22%) that emerged from the survey. Among other clichés are those that impose on do not touch the plants And not having sexual intercourse (equal for 37%), surpassed only by the best-known recommendation a do not take a bath or shower (49%).

Unfortunately, the problem comes from the fact that before knowing and understanding the physiology of the menstrual cycle, in the past those days were considered a frighteningly mysterious moment, linked to the expulsion of toxic substances accumulated in the female body. So much so that these notions were also written in the university manuals of aspiring doctors until not so long ago!

To dispel these rumors and overcome taboos, in addition to the research disclosed on the subject, they also contribute new publications on the topic of menstruation. In France, for example, the book was a great publishing success All about menstruation by Anna Roy, midwife and TV program columnist The maison des Maternelles broadcast on France 5and Mademoiselle Caroline, blogger, cartoonist and activist of the Collective of women cartoonists against sexism, who tells and denounces the violence and discrimination suffered by women in the artistic field.

Volume is designed to answer all questions that girls and women, but also boys and men, can have, because menstruation is a social issue. In forty questions and as many answers, tells all about the cycle: At what age does it end? It hurts? What can you do and not do when you have? What are panties, cups and pads? How much does it cost for women to menstruate? To build a society where we can talk about it without embarrassment or taboos, and not only with doctors, but also with friends, family or at school. Save the date: in Italy the book, published by Clichy, will be on sale from 19 July.

While waiting to have it in our hands, we asked the gynecologist Manuela Farris to begin to dispel some belief related to the cycle. Here are all his answers about it.

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